Dr. Mike Walden, North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University, responds:

"Well, one of the biggest shifts that we could see is how we live and where we live. If you think about it, since World War II, we have developed an economic landscape based on relatively inexpensive gasoline. That's been one of the big reasons we've developed suburbs and exurbs and malls and freeways. It's all made possible by the automobile and cheap gas. Now the cheap gas is gone, probably forever. Some people think this is slowly - this is not going to happen overnight - this is slowly going to change how we live and where we live. Location and proximity to work and shopping is going to be more important because it's going to save you energy. It's going to save you time in driving to those places. Some expect to see more dense development, people living closer to their places of work, places where they shop. Many think there will be a revival of cities, inner cities, small cities and towns, less building, less living in suburbs and exurbs and for those who can, more telecommuting."